Manager of Payroll and HR Operations - Minneapolis, MN

Who We Are

Fredrikson is the premier Midwest-based law firm, working collaboratively to help businesses achieve their goals regionally, nationally, and globally.

Overview

Fredrikson is seeking a Manager of Payroll and HR Operations to join our Human Resources team. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing the firm's payroll and core HR operations, ensuring payroll is delivered accurately, compliantly, and with exceptional service.

Beyond payroll, this position plays a key role in shaping the employee experience by leading HR operational processes, overseeing the firm's AskHR service model, and driving continuous improvement across payroll, employee support, and HR operations.

Working closely with Human Resources, Finance, Benefits, Technology, and firm leadership, you will help strengthen processes, improve service delivery, and ensure operational excellence across the employee lifecycle.

This role is ideal for a collaborative leader who enjoys building high-performing teams, improving processes, solving complex operational challenges, and delivering outstanding service.

This is a hybrid position requiring employees to work in the office two days per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the firm's end-to-end multi-state payroll operations, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Oversee payroll administration, including taxes, deductions, garnishments, benefit deductions, special payments, year-end processing, and related compliance activities.
• Partner with Finance, Benefits, and Technology teams to support payroll funding, reporting, reconciliations, system enhancements, and operational controls.
• Serve as the senior escalation point for complex payroll questions, corrections, compliance matters, and employee support issues.
• Lead the firm's AskHR platform and employee service delivery model, ensuring timely, consistent, and high-quality support for employees and managers.
• Develop and maintain service standards, workflows, knowledge resources, and operational processes that enhance the employee experience.
• Monitor operational metrics and identify opportunities to improve payroll accuracy, service delivery, efficiency, and employee satisfaction.
• Lead payroll and HR operations audits, retirement plan administration support, compliance initiatives, and documentation efforts.
• Partner across Human Resources and firm leadership to strengthen operational processes, reduce risk, and support strategic initiatives.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of payroll and HR operations professionals while fostering a collaborative, service-oriented culture.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives through process optimization, technology enhancements, automation, and operational best practices.

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seven or more years of progressive payroll or HR operations experience, including responsibility for end-to-end payroll administration within a complex organization.
• Five or more years of people leadership experience with demonstrated success coaching, developing, and leading high-performing teams.
• Extensive multi-state payroll experience, including payroll taxes, deductions, garnishments, wage and hour compliance, and payroll controls.
• Experience supporting or administering retirement plan payroll processes, audits, reconciliations, and compliance activities.
• Experience with HR service delivery, employee case management, shared services, or platforms such as AskHR, ServiceNow, Salesforce, or similar technologies.
• Strong knowledge of payroll systems and HR technology, with experience partnering on system enhancements, testing, reporting, and process improvements.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet critical deadlines.
• Outstanding communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of an organization.
• A collaborative leadership style with strong professional judgment, discretion, and a commitment to exceptional employee service.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading payroll within a law firm, professional services organization, or similarly complex environment.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
• Experience with Workday Payroll or another enterprise payroll platform.
• Experience leading an HR help desk, shared services, or employee support function.
• Experience implementing payroll technology, improving operational controls, or leading process improvement initiatives.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits options include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, short- and long-term disability, employee resource benefits (inclusive of counseling, coaching, and caregiving guidance), paid parental leave, parenting classes, pre-tax parking and transportation options, and much more!

Our retirement plan includes financial planning, Social Security/Medicare planning, 401(k)/Roth investment options, and a firm-paid profit-sharing contribution. Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions.

The salary range for this position varies by geographical market. In Minneapolis, the estimated starting annual pay range is $124,000–$150,000. The compensation offered will be dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, education, professional background, overall qualifications, and geographic market location.

Applying

Applications will only be accepted through our online careers page. Please submit both a resume and cover letter for consideration.

If you require assistance during the application process or need a reasonable accommodation, please contact recruiting@fredlaw.com.

About Fredrikson

Known as the firm "where law and business meet," Fredrikson's attorneys and business professionals combine legal knowledge with business insight to help clients achieve their goals. We are committed to delivering innovative legal solutions while fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace where everyone can thrive.

Our more than 400 attorneys serve clients from offices in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Mankato, Minnesota; Bismarck and Fargo, North Dakota; Ames and Des Moines, Iowa; Madison, Wisconsin; Saltillo, Mexico; and Shanghai, China.

Fredrikson is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Fredrikson does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, or employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We are not accepting search firm submissions for this position. Please apply directly through our careers page.